I don't understand the subtleties of this proposed amendment, but I know that medicare doesn't give money directly to patients.
The money goes to the physicians and other care providers. That's why most doctors support medicare. They get more business that way.
You should see the “billings” now with payments to doctors ... they bill (for example, a cardiologist) a little over $200. I saw that come through the other day. Then Medicare tells the cardiologist that he’s only approved for somewhere around $80 or $90 of that original bill of over $200.
He has to accept that as “full payment” for Medicare payment and he cannot bill the patient anything more than what Medicare says it will pay - and “write off” the remainder of his bill. His only “other” option is to simply no longer take Medicare patients.
NOW, imagine all those doctors out there ... being told that on top of the over $200 bill, being knocked down to $80 or $90 ... tonight at midnight, that bill is knocked down another 21%.
About that time doctors are going to be tellng Medicare patients to “Get lost!” ... :-) ...